Central Tibet is a critical area for researching the profound lithospheric interactions between the Indian and Eurasian plates. Despite considerable interest in the area, exploring crustal responses at significant depths in the region proves challenging due to its high elevation. We carried out a 220-km-long deep seismic reflection survey in central Tibet. The seismic profile unveils distinct mid-to-lower crustal features displaying concave-upward patterns. The consistent geometry identified at the Moho emphasizes an overall funnel-shaped crustal configuration, indicating localized shortening. This unique architecture, coupled with the sustained compression from the advancing Indian lithosphere, outlines the initial funnel-shaped crustal structure of central Tibet predating the Eocene, potentially initiating gravitational instability leading to lithospheric dripping. Subsequently, delamination evolved, driven by continuous compression from the advancing Indian lithosphere and increased upper-mantle heat flow post-lithospheric dripping, potentially facilitating crustal separation. The concentrated high geothermal gradient beneath central Tibet, along with the northward migration of surface volcanism and uplift, elucidates the delamination process.
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Research Article|
April 15, 2025
Early Publication
The funnel-shaped crustal architecture in central Tibet and its insights into the progression of lithospheric removal Available to Purchase
Zhanwu Lu;
Zhanwu Lu
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Rui Gao;
Rui Gao
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
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Xiaoyu Guo;
Xiaoyu Guo
2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
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Wenhui Li;
Wenhui Li
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Xiao Xu;
Xiao Xu
2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
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Zhuoxuan Shi;
Zhuoxuan Shi
4
College of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
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Yongzhi Cheng;
Yongzhi Cheng
5
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Guowei Wu;
Guowei Wu
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Yuguo Cai
Yuguo Cai
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
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Zhanwu Lu
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Rui Gao
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
Xiaoyu Guo
2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
Wenhui Li
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Xiao Xu
2
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China3
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
Zhuoxuan Shi
4
College of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Yongzhi Cheng
5
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Guowei Wu
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Yuguo Cai
1
State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Received:
22 Nov 2024
Revision Received:
26 Feb 2025
Accepted:
03 Apr 2025
First Online:
15 Apr 2025
Online ISSN: 1943-2682
Print ISSN: 0091-7613
© 2025 Geological Society of America
Geology (2025)
Article history
Received:
22 Nov 2024
Revision Received:
26 Feb 2025
Accepted:
03 Apr 2025
First Online:
15 Apr 2025
Citation
Zhanwu Lu, Rui Gao, Xiaoyu Guo, Wenhui Li, Xiao Xu, Zhuoxuan Shi, Yongzhi Cheng, Guowei Wu, Yuguo Cai; The funnel-shaped crustal architecture in central Tibet and its insights into the progression of lithospheric removal. Geology 2025; doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G52955.1
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